Sicily is a crossroads of civilizations where Greek temples, Arab domes, Norman mosaics, and Baroque balconies tell a layered story in every piazza. Over millennia, Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, and Spaniards left their marks—and their spices—on the island’s cuisine and culture.

In seven days, you’ll taste Palermo’s legendary street food in bustling markets, wander Taormina’s cliffside lanes above sapphire coves, and feel the living geology of Mount Etna under your boots. Expect generous hospitality, big flavor (caponata, pasta con le sarde, cannoli), and a pace that invites lingering over espresso or sunset aperitivi.

Practical notes: Sicily runs on “island time”—many shops pause midafternoon; book major sights and restaurants ahead in high season (May–October). Driving into historic centers is restricted (ZTL zones); trains and buses are easy between hubs. Always carry some cash for markets and small trattorie.

Palermo

Palermo is bold, soulful, and delicious. Arab-Norman UNESCO sites (Palatine Chapel, Cathedral), markets that sing (Ballarò, Capo), and a theater district that hums after dark frame a city that rewards curiosity down every alley.

• Top sights: Palatine Chapel’s glittering mosaics, Cathedral rooftop views, Quattro Canti, Piazza Pretoria’s “Fountain of Shame,” and Monreale’s gold-clad Duomo just uphill.
• Eat and drink: Snack on panelle and sfincione in markets; book Osteria dei Vespri for inventive Sicilian plates; try Ferro di Cavallo for old-school favorites; finish with brioche con gelato at Brioscià.
• Neighborhood vibe: Kalsa is artsy and historic; Politeama/Libertà is great for shopping; Capo and Albergheria buzz with markets and street eats.

Where to stay: Browse stays on VRBO Palermo or compare hotels on Hotels.com Palermo.

Getting in: Fly to Palermo (PMO). For Europe-based travelers, compare fares on Omio flights. From outside Europe, check Kiwi.com. Ferries to Palermo (from Naples/Civitavecchia) can be checked on Omio ferries.

Taormina

Perched between sky and sea, Taormina pairs Greco-Roman drama with Riviera glam. The ancient Greek Theater frames Mount Etna like a stage backdrop; below, Isola Bella cradles a pebble beach in a turquoise cove.

• Top sights: Teatro Antico, Corso Umberto’s boutiques and palazzi, Villa Comunale gardens, the cable car to Mazzarò Bay, boat rides around the grottoes.
• Eat and drink: Granita at Bam Bar; arancini at Da Cristina; seafood at Trattoria da Nino; refined coastal cuisine at La Capinera. Nightcap at Morgana Lounge Bar or Re di Bastoni.
• Easy day adventures: Godfather villages (Savoca, Forza d’Agrò) and Mount Etna’s lunar slopes and wineries.

Where to stay: See options on VRBO Taormina or Hotels.com Taormina.

Getting there from Palermo: Morning trains via Messina take ~5–6 hours, usually €20–35; book on Omio trains to “Taormina-Giardini.” Buses (Palermo–Catania, then to Taormina) can be ~4.5–5.5 hours in total—compare on Omio buses.

Day 1: Arrive in Palermo, Arab-Norman Glow and Aperitivo

Afternoon: Land in Palermo and drop bags. Shake off jet lag with an espresso at Bar Spinnato (classic marble-and-wood salon) and a stroll through Quattro Canti and Piazza Pretoria’s marbles. Pop into the Oratorio di San Lorenzo for Giacomo Serpotta’s theatrical stuccoes.

Evening: Aperitivo at Bocum in Kalsa (craft cocktails; Sicilian vermouths) before dinner. Choose Osteria Ballarò for hand-cut caponata and busiate al pesto trapanese, or Trattoria Ferro di Cavallo for pasta con le sarde and swordfish involtini. Dessert? Brioche con gelato at Brioscià—pistachio and almond is a crowd-pleaser.

Day 2: Markets, Mosaics, and Palermo’s Street Food

Morning: Join the city’s most beloved food walk to learn the lore behind each bite.

Palermo Original Street Food Walking Tour by Streaty

You’ll browse Capo and Ballarò, tasting panelle (chickpea fritters), sfincione (spongy “pizza” with onions and anchovy), arancine, and a just-filled cannolo while hearing how waves of rulers shaped Palermo’s palate.

Afternoon: Walk off the feast at the Norman Palace to see the Palatine Chapel’s gold mosaics, then climb the Cathedral rooftop for city-and-sea views. If you want a pick-me-up, order a caffè at Caffè del Teatro Massimo and soak up the square’s bustle.

Evening: Dinner at Osteria dei Vespri (seasonal Sicilian dishes; excellent local wine list) right off Piazza Croce dei Vespri. For a casual nightcap, join locals at Qvivi in Piazza Rivoluzione or sample historic bottles at Enoteca Picone (est. 1946).

Day 3: Monreale Gold, Mondello Beach, and Pizza & Gelato Class

Morning: Breakfast at Pasticceria Cappello—order the famous \"Setteveli\" chocolate-hazelnut slice. Take bus 389P from Piazza Indipendenza to Monreale (about 30 minutes) to marvel at the cathedral’s glittering Byzantine mosaics and cloister carvings.

Afternoon: Ride to Mondello for a seaside pause. Lunch at Da Calogero for spaghetti alle vongole or grilled local fish; grab a lemon granita at Bar Touring and stroll the Liberty-era villas lining the promenade.

Evening: Learn to stretch dough and churn a silky churn-free gelato with a local chef.

Palermo's Delight: Unleash the Secrets of Pizza and Gelato Making

Hands-on, convivial, and perfect for families, this class wraps with a feast of your creations and recipes to take home.

Day 4: Morning Train to Taormina, Cliffside Strolls and Seaside Supper

Morning: Depart Palermo early. The most scenic option is the train via Messina to “Taormina-Giardini” (about 5–6 hours, typically €20–35)—book on Omio trains. Bus combos via Catania can be similar in time—compare on Omio buses. Grab a to-go sfincione slice and espresso before you roll.

Afternoon: Check in (see VRBO Taormina / Hotels.com Taormina), then wander Corso Umberto from Porta Messina to Porta Catania. Pause for a granite mandorla (almond granita) at Bam Bar and peek into the Villa Comunale gardens for Etna-and-sea vistas.

Evening: Ride the funivia down to Mazzarò and dine on the terrace at Il Barcaiolo (book ahead for seaside tables) or head back up to Trattoria da Nino for swordfish rolls and Etna whites by the glass. Late cocktails at Morgana Lounge Bar—creative mixes with a glam, garden feel.

Day 5: Ancient Theater Morning, “Godfather” Villages Afternoon

Morning: Early entry to the Greek Theater to beat tour groups and watch Etna emerge through the arches. Breakfast after at Pasticceria Roberto—try a still-warm cannolo or pistachio cassatina and a macchiato.

Afternoon (tour with lunch): Trace cinematic footsteps and real history in hilltop villages around Taormina.

Godfather vs Mafia Tour & Pasta Lunch (Small Group or Private)

Visit Savoca (Bar Vitelli) and Forza d’Agrò while your guide separates film myth from the island’s anti-mafia movement. A pasta lunch in a local trattoria rounds out the afternoon.

Evening: Keep dinner light back in Taormina: share antipasti and grilled prawns at Osteria RossoDiVino. For a relaxed finish, grab a craft Sicilian beer or Nero d’Avola at Re di Bastoni with live music.

Day 6: Full-Day Mount Etna by Jeep, Lava Caves and Wines

Spend a day on Europe’s tallest active volcano with off-road access and a guide versed in geology, flora, and local lore.

Etna by Jeep: Exploring Craters and Lava Caves and Etna Wines

Walk among recent craters, slip on a helmet to enter a lava tube, gaze across the Valle del Bove, and sample mineral-driven Etna DOC wines. Wear layers and sturdy shoes; operators often include a light lunch or stop at a rifugio.

Back in Taormina, celebrate at Ristorante La Capinera (sea-to-table tasting menus; book ahead) or opt for a laid-back trattoria like Taverna al Paladino for homemade pastas.

Day 7: Isola Bella Dip, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: Ride the cable car down for a swim at Isola Bella’s pebble beach, or linger in the Villa Comunale gardens with a final espresso and granita. Pick up edible souvenirs—almond cookies, pistachio cream, capers—from specialty shops on Corso Umberto.

Afternoon departure: Head to Catania Airport (CTA). The Interbus from Taormina Bus Terminal takes ~1h10 and usually costs €6–8—compare schedules on Omio buses. Trains to Catania + the Alibus combo takes ~1.5–2 hours—see Omio trains. For flights in Europe use Omio flights; from farther afield, check Kiwi.com.

Optional swap/extra ideas: If you have an additional day, add Cefalù (cathedral mosaics and a sandy beach) from Palermo or a Catania city tasting day (arancini at Savia, fish market lunch, Roman amphitheater) from Taormina. Book intercity transport on Omio trains or Omio buses.

Booking quick links:

• Palermo stays: VRBO | Hotels.com
• Taormina stays: VRBO | Hotels.com
• Trains and buses in Sicily/Italy: Omio trains | Omio buses | Omio ferries
• Flights (Europe): Omio flights | Flights (global): Kiwi.com

In a week you’ll have nibbled your way through Palermo’s markets, gazed from Taormina’s Greek Theater to a smoking Etna, and dipped into bays as blue as myth. Sicily lingers—in recipes you learned, wines you discovered, and the gold glow of mosaics and sunsets alike. You’ll be planning a return before your plane lifts off.